Scotland’s weather: Storm Katie to affect Easter Monday

Tristan Stewart-Robertson

Storm Katie is set to bring high winds to some coastal regions as it passes over the UK today.

A nationwide weather warning for wind was issued yesterday and drivers are being warned to watch out for strong gusts on roads and the possibility of fallen trees.

A weather warning for the south-west, south-east and the east of England is in place for today, advising about winds of up to 70mph around the south coast. Large waves are also expected, and some heavy rain.

Anyone travelling has been warned to watch out for low-level disruption.

However, the Met Office had previously said the warning would extend to south Wales and the Midlands until later in the day, and it has now been scaled back.

The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for northern Scotland yesterday and for southern regions for wind and rain today.

Forecasters at the weekend said winds could reach up to 80mph in Orkney and Shetland, but cleared across most of mainland Scotland by mid-morning yesterday.

Storm Katie is to move northeast throughout today, with Scotland seeing a mix of sunny spells and showers into tomorrow and Wednesday.

The chief forecaster’s assessment for today said: “An area of low pressure is expected to rapidly deepen to the south west of the UK later on Sunday and then run northeastwards across England and Wales on Monday, accompanied by some very strong winds, large coastal waves and heavy rain.

“There remains a fair amount of uncertainty over the track and timing of this system, and so where and when the peaks of strongest winds will occur. However, there is a continuing signal for a period of disruptive winds, perhaps now more focused towards south-eastern parts of England. This alert will be updated in light of further information.”

Showers will continue through Tuesday with hail and thunder also possible.

There were no flood warnings in effect from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.